Shafaq News- Baghdad
Iraq’s state-owned North Oil Company (NOC) signed acontract on Thursday with US-based HKN Energy to develop the Hamrin oil fieldspanning Kirkuk and Saladin provinces, with peak crude production projected at140,000 barrels.
Oil Minister Basim Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi said theagreement supports the government’s strategy to maximize investment in thecountry’s oil and gas resources, meet domestic energy demand, and increaseexports, noting that the project is also expected to produce 40 million cubicfeet of associated gas per day (MMcf/d), which will supply the field’soperational needs, while surplus volumes will be reinjected to maintainreservoir pressure instead of being flared.
Al-Abadi also stressed the government’s efforts toattract major international energy companies, particularly from the UnitedStates and Europe, under internationally recognized standards. The project, headded, would generate jobs for Iraqi workers and create opportunities for localcompanies.
“The Ministry will provide support to the company, andsigning the contract is a message to all international companies that thedomestic investment environment is an attractive environment for investment.”
Hamrin is one of northern Iraq’s largest undevelopedoil fields. The Oil Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with HKNEnergy in mid-2025 to develop the field, initially targeting production ofabout 60,000 barrels per day while capturing associated gas for powergeneration.